Children’s Author of the Month – January
Recommended Reading for Social and Emotional Learning (and fun)
When I was teaching kindergarten, much of our classroom curricula and book readings were devoted to addressing the children’s social and emotional concerns. Stories – both their own and others’ – assisted the children in processing their feelings, fears and experiences.
One author I turned to every year to support the children’s social and emotional learning was Leo Lionni, a Caldecott Award winner who wrote books with tales that touch hearts, stretch the imagination and with colorful collage illustrations.
I encouraged my students to explore art projects inspired by Leo Lionni’s art, collaging with paper and often creating their own stories. You can have your child dictate their stories or thoughts to you to record on paper and maybe even act them out later.
Here are a few of his books that I recommend.
Swimmy
Little Swimmy swims alone in the sea after the rest of his school of fish was swallowed by a tuna. Using his creative problem-solving skills, he figures out a way to survive. This is a delightful tale!
Fish is Fish
A minnow and a tadpole are friends in this tale about accepting one’s own and each other’s individual strengths.
It’s Mine
Three selfish frogs bicker all day long but learn that sharing is worthwhile in the end.
Pezzettino
Pezzettino, which means “little piece” in Italian, is smaller than others and wonders if he belongs to someone else. The answer to his question surprises and affirms.
Frederick
This book may be especially appreciated during this recent winter weather. A dreamer and a poet, Frederick the field mouse warms the hearts of his fellow field mice and feeds their spirits during a cold, dark winter.
Alexander and the Wind-up Mouse
Alexander, a real mouse, meets Willie, a mechanical mouse, in this story about the magic of friendship.
Joan Spoerl
Joan serves as Director of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Cuyahoga County. In this role, she works to expand the number of families enrolled in the program in Cuyahoga County.
She taught kindergarten for 10 years in a NAEYC-accredited hospital-based child care center and then taught Head Start and preschool in the Chicago Public Schools. Learn more about Joan here.